Effect of Hydroethanolic Echinophora platyloba L. Extract on Testosterone and Gonadotropin Serum Levels in Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Male Rats

Background and Objective: Carbon tetrachloride is one of the chemical toxins widely used in hygiene industries. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Echinophora platyloba extract (EPE) on serum levels of testosterone and gonadotropins in male rats induced with carbon tetrachloride. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study ۴۹  male Wistar  rats (۲۲۰-۲۵۰ g) were randomly divided into seven groups (n=۷): Control group (۲ ml/kg  normal saline, daily for ۴ days, ip), toxicant group (۲ ml/kg CCl۴+olive oil.۱:۱, single dose ,ip), sham group (۲ ml/kg  olive oil, single dose, ip), positive control group (۴۰۰ mg/kg EPE daily for ۴ days, ip), toxicant-treated groups ۱, ۲ and ۳ (CCl۴+ olive oil.۱:۱, single dose and ۲۰۰ and ۴۰۰ and ۸۰۰ mg/kg of EPE, respectively, daily for ۴ days, ip). At the end of the treatments, serum testosterone and FSH & LH hormones were measured. Results: CCL۴ resulted in significantly decreased testosterone and increased FSH & LH serum levels in the toxicant group compared with the control group (P<۰.۰۰۱). EPE treatment with ۴۰۰ and ۸۰۰ mg/kg resulted in a significant increase in testosterone and decrease in FSH & LH serum levels compared with the toxicant group (P<۰.۰۰۱).    Conclusion: Hydro-ethanolic E. platyloba extract increased serum levels of testosterone and decreased FSH and LH serum levels in male rats induced with CCL۴.

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Keywords: Echinophora platyloba , FSH & LH , Testosterone , Carbon-tetrachloride , Rat